Quality of Life of Caregiver for Children with Blood Cancer

Abstract

Having a child who has blood cancer is certainly not easy for a mother, especially a mother who become the primary caregiver for a child. This certainly can have an impact on the quality of life of a mother. The purpose of this study was to look at the picture of quality of life in mothers of early adulthood (20-40 years). This research is qualitative research using purposive sampling technique and involves four participants (M, A, I, and E). The data collection process was carried out by in-depth interviews from February 2019 to May 2019. The results showed that being a caregiver for a child with blood cancer affected the quality of life of a mother that seen from six dimensions including decreased physical health, decreased mental health, increased social health, spiritual health also getting stronger, changes in daily life, and decreased financial health. To become a better caregiver, mothers should care for their own physical health, they can do some exercise around the house. The have to care about their mental health too, join a support group with people who have a children with cancer too so they can share from heart to heart.